Location
About Achievement First:
Achievement First, a non-profit 501(c)3 charter school management organization, operates 37 public charter schools in Brooklyn, Connecticut, and Rhode Island for the 2019-2020 school year. The mission of Achievement First is to close the achievement gap and deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all children, regardless of race or economic status. Achievement First currently educates more than 10,000 students in historically underserved neighborhoods, with over 90% of our students identifying as Black and Latino. With its college-preparatory focus, the Achievement First approach is attaining breakthrough academic gains throughout the network. Beyond our students and schools, Achievement First is an engaged and prominent partner in the larger conversation about how to improve public education and student achievement in our country.
Achievement First’s approach to teaching and learning enables every student to succeed at the highest levels. This involves:
- Recruiting and developing successful teachers and school leaders and empowering them to use student data to strategically drive instruction;
- Creating a joyful school culture where it is “cool to be smart” that emphasizes character education and focuses students on college;
- Providing students with more time on task and intense intervention when they are struggling so that no child falls through the cracks.
For more information about Achievement First’s mission, approach, schools, and team, please visit our website at www.achievementfirst.org.
Summary
The Director of 9-12 Math Achievement is an integral part of the math team that works with principals, academic deans, and teachers to craft and drive the vision behind an exemplary math program. We work closely with these cohorts to ensure that they develop the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to navigate a changing landscape with the introduction of the Common Core State Standards through professional and curricular development, core skill-building, classroom observations, and data analysis. This position offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of this instructional work at one of the nation’s top charter school networks.
Responsibilities of the Director of 9-12 Math Achievement Will Include but Are Not Limited To:
- Manage Program Vision and Implementation
- Act as a thought partner to the network leadership teams to help synthesize the network vision for math instruction and contribute to the development of clear programmatic recommendations for school leaders
- Coordinate Core Math Program Systems
- Coordinate school leaders, deans, and teachers in maintaining quality control of core systems integral to teaching and learning, such as process-based assessment, data collection, etc.
- Facilitate Professional Development
- With the high school math team, develop professional development sessions that support vision setting for the math program, implementation of the curriculum, and growth of core skills and knowledge
- Develop Curriculum
- Develop exemplary curriculum materials that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards and AP Requirements
- Manage lead planners and consultants by providing formal and informal feedback on their materials. Specifically, these materials will include unit plans, assessments, accompanying lesson plans, and student work.
- Coaching and Observations
- Conduct focused observations 2-4 times a month to push content-specific instructional practices, improve implementation of curriculum, gather information on best practices, and pilot new projects
- Develop instructional eye of deans and principals through focused co-observations and feedback
- Analyze Data
- Deeply analyze student achievement data (student work samples, weekly quizzes, interim assessments, and state tests) to determine how to better develop materials and provide targeted, high-quality teacher training
Skills and Characteristics
- In-depth content and pedagogical expertise in Math
- Exceptional collaboration, communication, analytical and influencing skills
- Exemplary writing skills
- Willingness to do “whatever it takes” and strong team player
- The ability to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed
- Strong data analysis skills
- Solid technical skills and experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher and with Adobe Acrobat
- Attention to detail and solid organizational skills
- The ability to see through multiple projects with many moving parts from beginning to end
- Belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model
- Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude
Educational Background and Work Experience
- A bachelor’s degree
- We would prefer a candidate with four or more years of highly successful math teaching experience. We will consider a candidate with a minimum of two years of teaching experience with exceptional results if there is relevant prior work experience.
- Two or more years of highly successful teaching experience in a school serving primarily low-income students
- A proven, multi-year track record of exemplary math achievement, especially the achievement of low-income, minority students
Some weekend/evening work and travel within New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are required.
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additionally, Achievement First offers a comprehensive benefits package.
To Apply
Email a resume to:
Lian States
lianstates@achievementfirst.org
Please visit the Achievement First careers site at http://www.achievementfirst.org/careers/. Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://www.achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/.